IMLP Race Report
Wondering what preparing for, participating in and the aftermath of doing a Full Ironman Race is like? Here's a great account documented by one of our very own GATORS - Tiff Pfluger.
Prerace days As soon as we drove into town on Thursday, I got so happy and excited. I love this town! The buzz was almost tangible. The next three days were full of checking in, eating, shaking out, and napping. Had a confidence building one loop swim and short run with pick-ups on Friday. If only I had a camera on the lake that day- Don, Byron, and I spent at least 5-10 minutes just bobbing in the water and hanging out admiring the most beautiful view from the farthest part of the swim! Had a less mind boosting shake out ride and run on Saturday but tried to look past it. Pasta dinner, TV watching (yay for Disney movies being on!), and an early bedtime.
Morning of Early wake-up call at 3:30am, breakfast, body marking, special needs drop off, then final bike adjustments. Word had it that the weather was going to be perfect (of course I had been checking it every few hours for the last few days)! When we went back to the hotel to sunscreen/lube up and get our wetsuits on, I was so anxious to get in the water. The anticipation is a killer! Met the Gators and family at 6:00am then the cannon went off for age groupers at 6:40. Tim and I hit the water together and little did I know...
Swim 2.4 miles 1:17:33 ... I would get out of Loop 1 directly behind him! It was so unexpected and we both got so excited! We both had our issues that we shared. Such a physical brutal swim for me. I got breaststroke kicked square in the face within 300-400 yards. It was so painful and knocked me silly for a second then it happened again on the right side of my nose and dislodged my goggles. Bridge of my nose is now black and blue and thanks to xrays at work, I can confirm a small hairline fracture! Tim left the swim with contact troubles from a punch to the face- we now know he has 3 small abrasions on the surface of his eye. Even though the swim was even tougher than 2 years ago, I PR'ed by 10 minutes! Thank you Michelle for posting that article months ago because it worked! And I almost beat the husband- so close!
T1 12:47 Wetsuit strippers but had to lie down in sand (yuck) then I saw Tim messing with his eye on the run down to transition. He told me to just go but then of course I was worried about him for about 2 hours. I really thought I was faster but still consider myself a transition sloth.
Bike 112 miles 7:00:44 The bike was nothing short of wonderful and I loved every moment of it. I felt like it wasn't "me" riding and I was expecting to hit the wall at any moment. That moment never came. I even hit a new max speed record going down Keene. My nutrition of Skratch and GU Stroopwafels (that I started just 3 weeks before) was spot on. Had burning left IT band pain while climbing but nothing crippling. The weather was perfect. Chilly initially and some wind on the second loop but could not have been better. I almost got a drafting penalty which I find hilarious- I heard the motorbike behind me and the official with the watch... I had no choice but to bust my ass past about 6-8 cyclists. I think it was a gift in disguise because that interval energized my legs. Right after that excitement my left back water cage loosened so I had no choice but to ditch a bottle at the aid station. That water cage then unknowingly fell off my bike at some point later :( The last 10-12 miles back to town are notoriously difficult but I felt great and I was loving the time spent on the ride. My hill training and 3 century rides really paid off. Did I mention I loved the bike?!?
T2 6:04 I beat Tim's time- enough said :)
Run 26.2 miles 4:33:01 I really wanted and expected to run faster but I didn't put the run work in like I should have. I had no idea what pace I was running either because of a watch malfunction. I ran based on feel and stayed aerobic as much as I could. I had some GI stress early on and I reached for Coke for the first time in a race during the last 10 or so miles. I gave myself goals of where to run to (to that light post or to that aid station) before I could get a walk break. Walking is not cool with me in the "running world" but I expected it in this race unless I felt phenomenal. I was thrilled to see Tim running so smoothly and freaking fast. I got several boosts from my teammates on the course especially Kristen who made it to the run course this year! After the walk up Subway hill, in the last 1.5-2 miles I no longer felt the pain in my quads, hamstrings, and butt that were there the entire run. My mind switched off the discomfort so I could experience the pure joy of a second IM finish!
Finish 140.6 miles 13:10:07 The Olympic Oval finish is the triathlon version of Boyleston Street. It is loud and full of energy. I had no idea what my total time would be because I had no watch. I was so thrilled to see the 13th hour on that clock. I did it, I broke 14 (and was even close to that 12 mark)! Perfect race and epic day!
Onto Rev3 Pocono Olympic and Lake Placid 70.3 to finish up the season!
